Thai ladies on course to match successes of the m

The country's female golfers can step out of the shadows of their male counterparts

• Published: 27 Jan 2013 at 00.00

Thailand's male golfers have enjoyed considerable success for years but their female counterparts have failed to shine on the major circuits.

Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn are among the rising stars of Thai golf.

However, there are growing expectations that some of the Thai women will soon be able to follow in the men's footsteps, with rookie sisters Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn among the stars to watch.

Pornanong Phatlum, Thidapa Suwannapura, Numa Gulyanamitta and Moriya will this year play on the LPGA Tour while Ariya, Nontaya Srisawang and Titiya Pluckstaporn will be competing on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

Porani Chutichai and Onnarin Sattayabanpot remain on the Japan Tour while several Thais are playing on smaller tours, such as the Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) and the China LPGA Tour.

The LET season begins this week and the LPGA Tour opens next month.

Moriya, 18, and Ariya, 17, are tipped to shine in their first seasons as professionals. Following their glittering amateur careers, Moriya became a co-medallist at the LPGA qualifying school while Ariya won the LET qualifying school last month.

Pornanong Phatlum

"Playing golf professionally on the LPGA Tour has been a lifelong dream for me and I can't wait to get started," Moriya said.

Ariya fared better than her sister on the junior and amateur circuits, winning the Rolex Junior Player of the Year award twice in a row in 2011 and 2012.

Their father, Somboon, believes Ariya is good enough to win in her rookie season on the LET.

"She can win maybe one or two titles this year," he said.

"I want to see her become successful on the LET before going to the LPGA Tour."

Ariya intended to take part in last year's LPGA qualifying school, along with Moriya, but the tour did not allow her to play because she was deemed too young.

Ariya will instead launch her professional career at the LET's season-opening Volvik RACV Ladies Masters in Australia from Feb 1-3.

In her third year on the LPGA Tour, Pornanong is currently Thailand's most experienced player on the elite circuit.

However, her target remains the same _ to finish the season in the top 30 on the money list.

She seemed within reach of her goal in mid-season last year, only to flop in the latter part and be forced to settle for 55th.

She will start the 2013 LPGA campaign in a confident mood after winning two LAGT events this month, in India and Taiwan.

Numa won at the LPGA Q-School in 2011 but failed to deliver in her rookie season last year. She finished 87th on the money list, having played 16 tournaments.

However, the former US college star said she is satisfied with her performance.

"I was so tired last year because I had to do everything by myself, from booking a flight and a hotel room to finding a caddie," said Numa, whose best result last year was finishing tied for 21st at the US Women's Open.

"I will have to do those things by myself again this year but I am more experienced and know how to do it more easily. I am sure that my performance will improve."

Thidapa, 20, got an LPGA Tour card thanks to her fourth-placed finish on the Symetra Tour, a development circuit formerly known as the Futures Tour.

She expects an exciting season on the LPGA Tour, having failed at the qualifying school twice.

"I know it will be tough," Thidapa said. "Hopefully, my experience on the Symetra Tour will help me."

Both Porani and Onnarin failed to keep their cards on the Japanese circuit last year but regained their playing rights through the qualifying school, where Rungtiwa Pangchan, Russamee Gulyanamitta and Tiranan Yoopan failed to deliver.

In her second year on the lucrative Japan Tour, Porani said that the toughest factor for her was the weather.

"It could change every hour and is hard to predict. The field is often very competitive with many Koreans playing there," she said. "I hope I can keep my card this year."

The tour, with 36 events, will start at the Daikin Orchid Ladies on Mar 8 and end at the Tour Championship in November.

Chiang Mai-born Nontaya is targeting a top-15 finish on the LET Order of Merit in her second season after she made the cut in 13 of 15 tournaments last year.

"It was not too bad last year but I think I can do better this year," said Nontaya, who won the 2012 Thailand Ladies Open. "I am used to the weather and courses and this helps boost my confidence."